My 90G rimless/starphire cube build

[Blazer88]

I am getting close to adding water so I thought I would start a thread on this new tank. I've had my AGA 65G for over three years now and I've been wanting something a little larger and a 90G seemed to fit the bill. I love the rimless cubes so I had one custom built by Joel and Waves Marine down in Portland.

Here is the equipment list:
-1/2" starphire glass cube (30Wx30Lx24T) w/external overflow box
-Two Vortech MP40W's for flow
-Eheim 1260 return pump (currently on my 65G), probably plumbed through two 3/4" returns
-Octopus CR140 calcium reactor (currently on my 65G)
-Warner Marine AS-200 skimmer
-Full sized Lumenarc III, 250W 20K Radium running on a Blue Wave HQI Ballast
-18" VHO Actinic for dusk/dawn
-20L sump for skimmer/return pump, AGA 5G fuge
-Keep my DIY ATO setup
-AC Jr. Controller (currently on my 65G)

First up was building the hanging light fixture. I wanted to keep the box as small as possible so I opted for a 18" VHO actinic rather than 24" T-5's. The canopy is built from 1/2" Birch and will hang from the ceiling.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6123-Edit.jpg

Here it is all trimmed and stained:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6178-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6176-Edit.jpg

Here are some shots of the tank. 3-sided starphire with beveled edges and sitting in from of my current tank.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6187-Edit.jpg

The silicon looks black in this picture but it's more of a gun metal gray color.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6184-Edit.jpg

Skimmer in waiting :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6189-Edit.jpg

Up next was the stand. It wasn't quite finished in these pictures but you get the idea. The trim/stain matches the hanging canopy and the three "doors" are fully removable panels. I used the plans from RocketEngineer over on the DIY forum. I then had to set the trim 1/2" off the frame so the doors would appear flush once installed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6195-edit.jpg

(no hardware yet)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6198-Edit.jpg

[Blazer88]

I spend this weekend working of the foam background and rock work. I ordered sixty pounds of rock from bulk reef supply and was quite pleased.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6199-Edit.jpg

The tank is in a partial corner hence the two walls. The two openings are for the Vortech pumps.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6202.jpg

Getting everything zip tied onto the egg crating.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6203.jpg

Applying the black pond foam.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6205.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6204.jpg

Here are the panels after the epoxy/sanding step and how they will be placed in the tank.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6211-Edit.jpg

All of the rock was planned out before hand and drilled/attached with 3/8" acrylic rod and then foamed into place. The rock structure breaks down into 4-5 large chunks and is very stable.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6208-Edit.jpg

And here is the rock in the tank. I'll be using 3-4 rocks from my current tank to seed this new one.

top-down
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6212-Edit.jpg

front
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6213-Edit.jpg

I'm working on the plumbing now and am hoping to make the transfer this weekend. I'll update as things progress. Thanks!

[Maximus]

Wow, very impressive! I really like the canopy and stand.

[spleify]

Looks great, I can't wiat to see this thing come together. Keep up the great work.

Spleify

[JustinReef]

Looks great so far! How do you plan to hang the "canopy" from the ceiling? I am planning on doing the same soon but have just not decided how to hang it yet. Mine will be a bit heavier than yours though, so a bit more of a challenge. I figure aircraft cable but I am not sure what to anchor it to the ceiling with.

Anyways, looks really great so far! Rock work is very nice.

[uhuru]

looks great so far! Joel has gotten really good at building tanks!

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13314584#post13314584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinpsmith
Looks great so far! How do you plan to hang the "canopy" from the ceiling? I am planning on doing the same soon but have just not decided how to hang it yet. Mine will be a bit heavier than yours though, so a bit more of a challenge. I figure aircraft cable but I am not sure what to anchor it to the ceiling with.

Anyways, looks really great so far! Rock work is very nice.

I was actually going to use picture frame wire and eye-bolts. I have a loft directly above the tank so I can screw directly into wood and not drywall. I think drywall anchors would have been plenty though since the canopy is only 22 pounds, I have mirrors that weigh more than that held with frame wire.

Thanks everyone for the comments!

[Warner Marine]

that's truly impressive. I'll be watching your build...

The tank, the cabinetry, the panels... fantastic. Remember to leave lots of space for growth!

jon

[Blazer88]

Hey Jon, I'm glad you came across this thread. One reason why I went with the rock walls was so I can attach frags and fill out the back, that should give me some more space. And I hope I can stock the tank enough to experience the true potential of the skimmer :)

[Tangweed]

This is pretty cool. May I tag along?

[Blazer88]

It looks like I'll be moving forward and making the transfer on Saturday afternoon. I just finished up the plumbing and gave it a fresh-water leak test. I have the output nozzles dumping right back into the overflow box as I didn't want to waste 90G of water, I was more concerned about my PVC not leaking, I'm sure the tank is just fine. I came across a thread on here about a "silent" overflow and figured this would be the perfect time to give the "Herbie" method a shot. I was running the Mag 9 (this is just a spare pump, I'll be using an Eheim 1260) wide open and I could only tell it was on because of the light hum from the pump. I was extermely impressed at how silent it was, I look forward to not hearing any gurgling.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6214-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6215-Edit.jpg

The only problem that I ran into was the plumbing to the 5G fuge. It was drawing air from that 1" PVC from the fuge and causing noise for the main drain. I think I'll just cut that line out and cap it near the 1.5" pipe and feed the fuge with a MJ400 or something from the sump. The less variables and changes in flow rate for the 1.5" overflow the better/more stable it will be.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6218-Edit.jpg

I also picked up one of these power strips from Musicians Friend. I bought two but I only think I'll be using one. I may need just a few more outlets (my AC Jr also has eight) and I don't to install another one of these panels for just an outlet or two that I'll probably never need to switch off (like the fuge light, etc).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6220-Edit.jpg

I have all of the dry rock in a 30G trashcan with a heater, salt, skimmer, and a few PH's. Hopefully that will help clean up the rock so there will be less impact once I make the transfer. Just a few more things to finish up on the stand and then I'll silicon the rock panels in place and start getting everything else ready for Saturday.

[Mr.Kook]

Looks great im going to tag along cant wait to see it get stocked

[Numlock10]

Hi Blazer tank looks great;

I am planning a very similar tank, but only 18” tall rather than 24”. Would you be able to tell me how big your notch is on y our back wall? Have you filled the tank yet and are you happy with your water level?

Cheers,

Jason

[Tangweed]

I don't have a fuge, but I was thinking of making one. How are setting yours up with out it being in your sump? Are you splitting the lines? I can't tell if it's drilled or not.

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13344167#post13344167 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Numlock10
Hi Blazer tank looks great;

I am planning a very similar tank, but only 18” tall rather than 24”. Would you be able to tell me how big your notch is on y our back wall? Have you filled the tank yet and are you happy with your water level?

Cheers,

Jason

Sorry Jason, I must have missed these questions that people posted. I'm not real sure what you mean about the Y (looks more like a U) cut into the back, I'm guessing you mean the section for the overflow. The depth is about 1.5"-2", I'll have to measure once I get home. I'm happy with the water level now that it is filled and running (see the pics below) but I'll probably add a ball valve to limit the return pump just a little bit which will lower the water level.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13344297#post13344297 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tangweed
I don't have a fuge, but I was thinking of making one. How are setting yours up with out it being in your sump? Are you splitting the lines? I can't tell if it's drilled or not.

The 5G tank is drilled and dumps back into the return pump section. I originally split the return line but the main drain line was siphoning air from the drain line for the fuge so I capped it off. I tossed an MJ400 into the sump that pumps the water into the fuge.

As for an update,
I have to say the transfer was quite the pain. I unloaded the 65G into bins and setup the new tank only to have the back wall pop off and almost overflow the tank within a few hours of filling it. I had to drain the new tank and transfer everything back into the 65G to re silicon the back wall on. I didn't really know how buoyant this foam was so I didn't use very much silicon the first time, I was rather generous the second time and now I know it won't be moving anywhere. The fish/corals were without lights and got transferred 3 times between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning. But so far everything looks happy in the new tank and the fish were out and about. I also found my tailspot blenny is extremely hardy. I forgot to add him to the new tank the first night so he spend the night in a 5 gallon bucket with about 2" of water and no heater. The water temp dropped to about 65 degree but he seemed just fine yesterday as he was picking at the rocks in the new tank. So far all of the other livestock seems happy as well. Here are some transfer shots.

65G filled to the brim while the silicon had to cure for the back wall in the new tank.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6225-Edit.jpg

New tank in place:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6224-Edit.jpg

Filling it up and transferring the rock/livestock from the 65G.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6226-Edit.jpg

Filled, stocked, and running:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6231-Edit.jpg

Some tank shots with just the Radium fired up:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6233-Edit.jpg

Front:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6234-Edit.jpg

Side:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6235-Edit.jpg

As you can see, I'm still have quite the micro bubble problem as the skimmer it filling my sump with bubbles. Hopefully it will break in sooner rather than later.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6241-Edit.jpg

I also think there is too much rock in the display and I haven't added any of the sand yet. I plan to let the tank mature for a little while before I remove some of my older live rock to open up the aquascape a little bit. I'll also add the sand slowly to avoid clouding the water more than it already is. I got the AC Jr. all wired up and now I need to finish cleaning the wiring up and finish a bit of detail on the doors before they go on. I also lowered the canopy a few more inches than what is pictured and noticed it is about 1" off centered so I'll need to fix that. More updates as things progress!

[Tangweed]

Thanks for the info. Tank is looking good!

[JustinReef]

Looks great!

Can I ask what kind of epoxy you used to cover the foam? And what kind of sand did you mix it with (if thats what you did)? Basically would you be able to give me a better idea of how its done...or a link to a thread you followed...I know there are lots of them but I searched and still can't find them.

Thanks!

[Blazer88]

Hey Justin,
I used an epoxy from Bob Smith Industries that I found at a hobby store (Hobby town USA). I think most model train/RC/plane, etc stores would carry something very similar. It was a 30 minute cure time so that gave plenty of time to work it into the foam and then toss some sand onto it. I think it would have actually been easier to just apply the sand when the foam was wet. The sand I used was regular ol 1-2mm aragonite sand that I plan to use on the bottom as well.

[Fish_wiz2]

Really sweet bro :thumbsup:

[filippo]

love it!!!!! more pics :D

[650-IS350]

Nice

[dv0920]

Nice build. Just curious why build a cube to only have 2 panes viewable?

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13368902#post13368902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dv0920
Nice build. Just curious why build a cube to only have 2 panes viewable?

It is the only place the tank would fit in my condo. I have to work with what I got, lol.

[Blazer88]

Here are a few updated pictures from today. The anemone decided to move on me so I had to shift a few things around. I really like where he is at right now so hopefully he will end up staying there for good. But so far the corals are looking better each day and the fish seem normal as can be. Right now there are only a pair of clowns, Tailspot Blenny, Firefish, and a Cherub Angel in there. I plan to add some more in the next few weeks. Here are the shots.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6245-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6246-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6247-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6266-Edit.jpg

The second one was hiding
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6283-Edit.jpg

My frogspawn finally has some more room to grow
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6288-Edit.jpg

[Warner Marine]

wow...

looks great, and only a few days old! Can't wait to see the coralline cover the panels. So many places to put frags too...

[Tangweed]

Looking good.

[fish outa wata]

tank looks great

[IridescentLily]

Nice!

[KRASHPD]

Nice Job. The backing seems to add depth to the tank. the edges of the backing look crisp which is where some it suffers sometimes on other aquariums. With everything so open on a rimless, there is no room really to take shortcuts and them not be noticed.

[cabrego]

Awesome looking tank!!

How did you secure the background to the tank?


Also, do you think the foam buy it self would be sticky enough to keep the sand in place?

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13373713#post13373713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KRASHPD
Nice Job. The backing seems to add depth to the tank. the edges of the backing look crisp which is where some it suffers sometimes on other aquariums. With everything so open on a rimless, there is no room really to take shortcuts and them not be noticed.

Thanks for the great feedback. I really made sure that no egg crate would be visible once it was in the tank. I purposely applied too much foam so I could cut away the edges to try and keep it nice and clean. I'm pretty pleased with how everything turned out so far.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13374566#post13374566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cabrego
Awesome looking tank!!

How did you secure the background to the tank?


Also, do you think the foam buy it self would be sticky enough to keep the sand in place?

I secured the background with GE Silicon I. I originally didn't apply enough to the back panel and it broke free when I first filled it. I had to drain the tank and apply PLENTY of silicon to make sure it stays in place, the foam is extremely buoyant. I think the foam would have been plenty sticky enough to just sand it without using the epoxy. The epoxy step was rather annoying, I think sanding it before the foam dried would have been better.

Thanks all for the kind comments.

[cabrego]

Did you apply the GE silicone to the entire back side or just the edges?

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13375877#post13375877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cabrego
Did you apply the GE silicone to the entire back side or just the edges?

I first used a small bead across the bottom and the top and it wasn't enough to hold the panel in place. I had to put silicon on the back and on every seam to keep it in place. It's better to use too much silicon rather than not enough, as I found out.

[Blazer88]

So far things have been going pretty well. Here are the changes since the last update:
-Added a small group of Lyretail Anthias
-Finally got around to rinsing and adding the sand which I think makes the tank look a whole lot better.
-Got my last Vortech and battery backup all installed and running.

So far the only negative is that my firefish of two years went hardwood floor surfing :( The skimmer is breaking in pretty well and I'm starting to get some good skimmate from it. Here are some updated tank pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6310-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6400-Edit.jpg

some wiring mess:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6308.jpg

Livestock:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Fish/IMG_6322-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Fish/IMG_6367-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Fish/IMG_6342-Edit.jpg

[Blazer88]

And a few coral shots:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Zoa/IMG_6391-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Zoa/IMG_6384-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Zoa/IMG_6347-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/LPS/IMG_6389-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/LPS/IMG_6386-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/LPS/IMG_6356-Edit.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/LPS/IMG_6350-Edit.jpg

[Warner Marine]

Mmmm... I've said it before but those are some AMAZING photo skills.

Crystal clear water, too...

[cet98]

goodness that is an awesome looking tank!!!...
the build on that custom cube looks flawless...wished I live in your town so I could get me one of those!!!...
dare I ask how much?...
The starfire glass must be amazing cause your photos are dazzling!!!...

will follow your thread and watch is progress..!!! thanks for sharing Blazer!!!

[gookster]

wow thats a nice camera

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13431569#post13431569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cet98
goodness that is an awesome looking tank!!!...
the build on that custom cube looks flawless...wished I live in your town so I could get me one of those!!!...
dare I ask how much?...
The starfire glass must be amazing cause your photos are dazzling!!!...

will follow your thread and watch is progress..!!! thanks for sharing Blazer!!!

Sorry I missed your question but I paid $850'ish for the tank. And I have noticed that I have considerably more available light with the starphire glass since I can use a much lower ISO on my camera. That was quite a nice and unexpected bonus.

[fish outa wata]

pics are coming out great

[Blazer88]

Things have been going really well with the tank over the past few months. I never had any nuisance algae and everything has been as stable as can be. Current stock list is:
-Pair of false-perc clowns
-Pair of Yasha Haze shrimp Gobies
-Tailspot Blenny
-Trio of Lyretail Anthias
-Tomini Tang

This pictures was from November, ~2 months old at this point:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Full%20Tank%20Shots/11_2008.jpg

And here it is at ~4 months old. All of the dry rock I added is nearly covered in coralline and is blending in nicely. I broke up my massive frogspawn to make room for some more SPS, which has been growing well.

Full tank:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Full%20Tank%20Shots/1_2009.jpg

Partial side view:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Full%20Tank%20Shots/IMG_0973-Edit.jpg

[Moondog123]

Nice corals

[Minibus]

Hey Blazer88,
Your tank looks great! I have a question regarding your foam wall. For the side which only covers part of the glass did you consider doing some sort of jagged edge to it rather than squaring it up like you did? Might make it look a little less uniform and more rock like.

Again great job and cannot wait to see it grow out more.

[Eel-byte]

Nice tank!

[Warner Marine]

that's grown-in really nicely. And YES your SPS growth rate looks nice.

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14202356#post14202356 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Minibus
Hey Blazer88,
Your tank looks great! I have a question regarding your foam wall. For the side which only covers part of the glass did you consider doing some sort of jagged edge to it rather than squaring it up like you did? Might make it look a little less uniform and more rock like.

Again great job and cannot wait to see it grow out more.

I thought about doing something a little different when I started with the wall. I figured it would be like this, I would either see more of my "regular" wall (the drywall, that is) or the egg crating/foam on the other side of the glass that wasn't covered by the corner. I left it a little jagged and didn't cut it straight like the other panel. I see what you mean though.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14202588#post14202588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Warner Marine
that's grown-in really nicely. And YES your SPS growth rate looks nice.

Thanks Jon. Next up is some ammino's from you, I hear they have a great effect on the SPS color.

[eaglesrx]

wow, great tank!!

question: do you have 3 female lyretails or 1 male/2 females? do they act overly aggressive towards your yashas?

Thanks!

[jt48]

Its been almost a year since a shot of the tank. I'm considering having a rimless built with same dimensions. Can you update?

[jvalentine]

that is an amazing tank man!!

[spleify]

Wow this thing has really turned out great. Nice work!!

Great photography skills too.

Keep up the great work

[goldreef]

Nice looking setup you got there, looks like everything is working out for you.

Congratulations!

[kmu]

This is an amazing cube, any updates on it?

I realy like the easy transfer you did from your old tank to the new one, one question, when you transfered the old sand, did you let the bacteria die first then you rinsed it and transfered it to the new tank?

[ReeVo]

Your tank looks amazing. Thats some of the best aquascaping I have seen. Keep it up.


Which rocks from BRS did you get?
fiji, pukani, BRS reef saver, shelf?
These pieces are beautiful.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Tank%20Build/IMG_6199-Edit.jpg

I really love the shapes and sizes and of the rock.

[Mycivic88]

Man amazing I can't wait to put my 93 together hurry up taxes

[s2nhle]

any update on this....

[Blazer88]

The tank was broken down and sold in '09. My condo was sold since I was buying a new house but I'm thinking of starting up a new rimless peninsula build. Funny this thread came up since I just started browsing around on here again! I do miss that tank though.

[ReefRocks121212]

Hey did you use 2x4's for the stand? Thanks